Ectogestation and the Future of Reproductive Rights

Ectogestation and the Future of Reproductive Rights explores the profound ethical, legal, and social implications of artificial womb technology. It brings together leading scholars in bioethics to critically examine the transformative potential of ectogestation for reproduction, gestation, and abortion. In the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, questions regarding ectogestation have been elevated beyond mere philosophical curiosity. This volume addresses the heightened relevance of ectogestation for reproductive ethics, emphasizing its implications for bodily autonomy, fetal viability, and the future of abortion debates. The book is divided into four thematic sections: the use of ectogestation in clinical settings, questions regarding the pregnant person and gestational justice, the meaning of ‘birth’ in relation to the biological entity gestating in an artificial womb, and how the advent of ectogestation might impact abortion rights in the future. Furthermore, this volume interrogates the intersections of gender, autonomy, and justice, offering fresh perspectives on the societal and philosophical challenges posed by this emerging technology. By engaging with cutting-edge arguments, this volume will provoke further discussion on reproductive rights in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. This volume is essential reading for scholars and advanced students working in philosophy, bioethics, sociology, medicine, medical humanities, and legal philosophy.